State offers tips to save money on heating bill

There are a myriad of ways to cut down on your heating bill this winter, not to mention energy expenses year round. The state offers the following tips.

Staff Reports

Don't let the mild weather this week fool you.

It will not be long before more seasonal winter weather comes back. And the 2013 Farmer's Almanac has predicted much colder temperatures on the East Coast.

As such, the Delaware Department of Natural Resources & Environmental Control's Division of Energy and Climate has offered some tips on how to keep warm without putting a dent in your billfold or pocketbook.

DNREC offers the following common-sense tips to help you use less energy and save more money this winter:

Set thermostat/heater temperatures lower at night and during the day when no one is home. Turn the heat down an hour before bedtime or before leaving the house; when turning the heat up, do not turn it above its usual setting to warm the house faster.Instead of turning up the heat, put on a sweater or warmer socks, and keep throws or blankets on the couch for television and video games. Use warm winter bedding – flannel sheets, warm blankets, comforters or quilts – to keep the family comfortable with the house cooler at night. Snuggle up and save money.Pull shades or curtains at night to help keep cold out and open them during the day to let sun in.To feel warmer and alleviate dryness, increase home humidity using an energy-efficient humidifier or by evaporating water in containers on woodstoves, radiators or heat vents.Make sure all your windows are completely closed and latched. Check doors and windows for drafts and add weatherstripping if needed. A rolled-up towel makes a good temporary measure.Check to make sure your water heater and hot water pipes are well-insulated; if not, add pipe insulation or wrap-around insulation. Turn down temperature on the water heater by 10 degrees to save energy.To save water and the cost of heating it, install flow-restrictors on faucets and shower heads.To make your home warmer next winter, take notes now and plan home improvement projects for spring and summer, such as adding insulation, caulking cracks, or replacing your old hot water heater or furnace with a more energy efficient model.Adding a programmable thermostat to your home's HVAC system will allow you to set day and night temperatures automatically.Reduce heating in unoccupied areas and, if possible, close off rooms with the greatest northern exposure. Make family-gathering places in sunny or southern-facing rooms.The Division of Energy and Climate also offered tips to help people save on energy costs year round by getting better usage out of their appliances and cars. They include:

Turn off or unplug any appliances or electronic devices (such as computers) when they are not in use. Turn off lights when not in use.When using the oven, cook three or four items at a time for the same cost as one – and choose a day when everyone is home to enjoy the extra warmth and good scents in the kitchen.Set your refrigerator at 38 to 40 degrees and your freezer at 10 degrees.Run the washing machine, dryer and dishwasher only with full loads.If purchasing new or replacing older appliances, such as heaters, refrigerators, etc., look for the Energy Star rating.Save gas by improving your driving habits: accelerate from stops slowly, drive at moderate, steady speeds, and avoid unnecessary braking by coasting to red lights and anticipating traffic speed changes.Avoid idling as much as possible, including sitting in the car to keep warm and "warming up" the car in the morning.Schedule oil and filter changes and other recommended maintenance to keep your vehicle operating efficiently. Check tire pressure often; under-inflated tires decrease fuel efficiency.For more information on the Delaware Division of Energy and Climate and its programs, including the online Energy Savers Guide, call (302) 735-3480, or visit www.dnrec.delaware.gov/energy.

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